• Question: what or who inspired you to become a scientist?

    Asked by LilyS on 30 Sep 2025. This question was also asked by chug532cart6, moas535muns6, boxy535muns6, herd535muns6, echo532cube74, dray532agha26, RitaN.
    • Photo: Emily Walls

      Emily Walls answered on 30 Sep 2025:

      A mix of people inspired me to become a scientist! Growing up, I was interested in space and my mum and dad supported me so much that they really inspired me to do what I was passionate about regardless of any obstacles I faced along the way. Within physics, I have had many mentors who have inspired and shaped the way I do science, particually my masters supervisor – she is an amazing woman who pushed me to produce the best science I could! More bigger names that you could be familiar with is Dr Becky who makes YouTube videos on space, Jim Al-Khalili and Brian Cox for all of their interesting documentaries across the years as well.

    • Photo: Caroline Roche

      Caroline Roche answered on 15 Oct 2025:

      I was always interested in science when I was growing up so knew it would be the career path I would take. Though it was my Mum who inspired me to keep going and find the area that I would really enjoy working in.
      I originally went to university to study physics and become a researcher but I didn’t get on very well with quantum physics but really liked the programming and equipment side so switched to a course more directed at them. I don’t think I would have had the confidence to do that without my mum supporting me.

    • Photo: Michael Gillin

      Michael Gillin answered on 20 Feb 2026:

      The first person was Marie Curie becuase of her refusal to let obstacles (whether social, financial, or physical) dictate her potential. She didn’t just study science, she redefined it, and became the first person to win Nobel Prizes while maintaining a humble, humanitarian heart. She achieved so much in extremely tough conditions, but perservered, and is remembered accordingly.

      The second person was my Year 9 chemistry teacher, Mr Dunkin, who was your textbook example of a mad scientist. Always going the extra mile to explain concepts, randomly blowing stuff up, and had a really infectious love for science. From the third lesson, I was hooked on chemistry, and now I am pursuing a PhD in the field.

Comments

  • Photo: melissau

    melissau commented on :

    I grew up being an animal lover, although I didn’t initially realise that I wanted to be a vet. When I learned about Dr Jane Goodall’s work with animals, particularly in recognising their individual personalities, their intelligence, the ways in which they live in groups and their capacity to communicate with each other (and us, too, if we take the time to notice what they’re telling us without speaking) that confirmed that I wanted to help animals more generally. Being a vet means there are lots of different ways in which I can help animals, whether as a clinical vet (like the one you take your own animal to) or as a researcher or many other jobs which are open to somebody with a vet degree.